Fans encouraged to donate food to Strike Out Hunger on June 13

All fans donating two non-perishable food items on June 13 will receive one View Level ticket to July 30 Reds vs. Padres game

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CINCINNATI (June 12, 2012) - The Cincinnati Reds and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are pleased to partner again for the sixth year to Strike Out Hunger.

Wives of Reds players and volunteers from St. Vincent de Paul will be will be collecting food Wednesday, June 13 before and during the Reds vs. Indians game at Great American Ball Park to feed families in need in Cincinnati.

Fans who donate a minimum of two non-perishable food items in designated food collection barrels will receive
one View Level ticket to the July 30 Reds vs. Padres game - limit one ticket per person.

The barrels will be placed outside the gates, so fans don't need a ticket to the June 13 game to donate and receive the free ticket to the July 30 game.

The 2011 St. Vincent de Paul Reds Food Drive collected over 6,000 lbs of food, which fed 2,100 people in our community for one day.

"We've seen a record number of people at our food pantries," said Liz Carter, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul. "Many families are still struggling in the face of a challenging economy. They make many sacrifices, but food is vital. It is one sacrifice they simply can't make. With the support of the community, we can continue to feed our neighbors in need."

In 2011, St. Vincent de Paul provided more than 70,000 people with groceries, enough people to fill Great American Ballpark more than one and a half times. About half of the people fed were children.

"The Cincinnati Reds are committed to alleviating hunger in our community," said Lorrie Platt, Cincinnati Reds community relations director. "We are pleased to partner once again with St. Vincent de Paul and with our fans to work toward meeting that goal."

For more information regarding the Reds Food Drive for St. Vincent de Paul, contact Reds Community Relations at 513-765-7018. For more information about donating or volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul's Food Pantry in the West End, please contact 513-562-8841, ext. 220 or visit www.SVDPcincinnati.org.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.